Locking means for securing the sides of a prefabricated enclosure

ABSTRACT

Locking means for securing the edges of adjacent sides positioned at ninety degrees to each other in a prefabricated enclosure. Each side includes a flange extending along the side edge with the flanges being generally perpendicular to its connected side for coacting with the edge of adjoining sides. Each side and flange including a plurality of integral U-shaped ribs positioned perpendicular to each edge of each side. The feet of the U being connected in the plane of the side and flange, and the closed end of the U extending outwardly. The corresponding ribs of adjacent sides being sized to coact; the ribs of one side fitting snugly inside the ribs of an adjoining side for providing strength and rigidity to the enclosure when fastened together. Holding means positioned adjacent the edge and in each of the ribs of the side which is positioned inside of an adjoining side. The edge of the side which is positioned outside of an adjoining side including an opening in the closed end of the U-shaped rib and in registry with the holding means for inserting a fastener.

United States Patent 1 Brown [4 1 Sept. 2, 1975 [54] LOCKING MEANS FOR SECURING THE SIDES OF A PREFABRICATED ENCLOSURE [75] Inventor: Harland R. Brown, Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Tideland Signal Corporation,

Houston, Tex.

22 Filed: May 30, 1974 21 Appl.No.:474, 574

Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant ExaminerR. E. Hart Attorney, Agent, or FirmFulbright & Jaworski [5 7] ABSTRACT Locking means for securing the edges of adjacent sides positioned at ninety degrees to each other in a prefabricated enclosure. Each side includes a flange extending along the side edge with the flanges being generally perpendicular to its connected side for coacting with the edge of adjoining sides. Each side and flange including a plurality of integral U-shaped ribs positioned perpendicular to each edge of each side. The feet of the U being connected in the plane of the side and flange, and the closed end of the U extending outwardly. The corresponding ribs of adjacent sides being sized to coact; the ribs of one side fitting snugly inside the ribs of an adjoining side for providing strength and rigidity to the enclosure when fastened together. Holding means positioned adjacent the edge and in each of the ribs of the side which is positioned inside of an adjoining side. The edge of the side which is positioned outside of an adjoining side including an opening in the closed end of the U-shaped rib and in registry with the holding means for inserting a fastener.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures LOCKING MEANS FOR SECURING THE SIDES OF A PREFABRICATED ENCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There has been a need for a prefabricated enclosure for example, a battery powered supply station for use for navigational aids, which may be transported in a disassembled condition. And it is desirable that such an enclosure be easy to assemble, preferably by one man, with a minimum of equipment and yet provide a sturdy, high strength enclosure for adequately protecting its contents.

The present invention is directed to an enclosure which may be easily assembled at remote locations and includes locking edges which may be conveniently and easily connected and yet provides an enclosure whose interlocking components provide unusual strength and protection.

SUMMARY The present invention is directed to an improved locking means for securing the edges of adjacent sides of a prefabricated enclosure in a rigid and easily assemblable manner. I

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide locking means which interact to provide three dimensional strength to the enclosure.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is the provision of locking means of a prefabricated enclosure in which the sides are positioned at ninety degrees to adjoining sides in which each side includes a flange extending along its side edge perpendicular thereto to coact with the edge of an adjoining side.

A still further object is the provision of a plurality of integral U-shaped ribs positioned in each side and flange perpendicular to the edge of the side with the feet of the U being connected in the plane of the side and flange and the closed end of the U extending outwardly whereby a corresponding rib of an adjacent side will coact with one another to provide rigidity and strength to the assembled enclosure.

Yet a still further object is the provision of holding means positioned in the edge and in one of the ribs of the interior sides at the corners with an opening in the edge of the exterior sides at the corners whereby a fastener, such as a nut, bolt or screw, may be inserted therein for securing the sides together and which may be easily accomplished by a single person.

Other and further features and advantages will be readily apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view, illustrating the present invention in use in a battery powered supply station,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged exploded perspective view illustrating two adjoining sides of the enclosure of FIG. 1 in a disassembled position,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the adjoining sides in an assembled position, and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to FIG. 1, the present invention, for purposes of illustration only, will be described in connection with a prefab ricated battery power station which can be manufactured and shipped unassembled, but can be quickly and easily set up in remote locations.

The prefabricated enclosure is generally indicated by the reference numeral and has a plurality of sides normally four, two of which, 12 and 14, are shown for enclosing a plurality of batteries and a top 16 which may support an array of solar cells for charging the batteries. Preferably, the components of the apparatus 10 such as the sides and top are made of a suitable plastic, such as fiberglass, for weathering, corrosion resistance, and a long life.

The sides, such as 12 and 14, are positioned perpendicular to each other. The present invention is particularly directed to provide a locking means for securing the adjacent corner edges of adjoining sides such as 14 and 14 together such as by locking joints 18, 20 and 22 which are preferably positioned adjacent the top, the middle and the bottom of the adjoining edges of adjoining sides such as 14 and 14.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an enlarged exploded view is shown of the construction of one of the typical locking joints such as 18, 20 or 22. FIG. 2 shows, in exploded view, and FIG. 3 shows in an assembled view the structure for connecting adjoining sides 26 and 28 together. Side 26 includes a flange 30 along the side edge 32 with the flange 30 being generally perpendicular to its connected side 26. Similarly, side 28 includes a flange 34 connected perpendicularly to the side 28 along the edge 36. It is noted from FIG. 3 that when the adjoining sides 26 and 28 are assembled, the flanges 30 and 32 will coact with the adjoining sides 28 and 26, respectively, to assist in bracing, adding strength to the corner, and enclosing the interior from the exterior of the apparatus 10.

Each of the sides 26 and 28 includes at least one, and preferably three, integral U-shaped ribs. Side 28 includes a rib generally indicated by the reference numeral in the side 28 and flange 34, generally perpendicular to the edge 36. The feet 42 and 44 of rib 40 are connected in the plane of the side 28 and flange 34 with the closed end 46 of the U extending outwardly. Similarly, the side 28 includes a rib generally indicated by the reference numeral 50 in both the side 28 and flange 30 and directed perpendicularly to the edge 32. The rib 50 includes feet 52 and 54 connected in the plane of the side 26 and flange 30 and includes a closed end 56 extending outwardly.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ribs 40 and 50 of the adjoining sides 28 and 26, respectively, are sized to coact with one rib such as 40 flitting snugly inside of the other rib 50 whereby the coaction of the ribs 40 and 50 add rigidity and strength to the interconnection between the sides 26 and 28.

Suitable fastening means are provided for holding the adjacent sides 26 and 28 together whereby the coacting sides 26 and 28, the flanges 30 and 34, and the ribs 40 and 50, may be held together to provide the rigidity and strength desired. Preferably, a nut 60, as best seen in FIG. 4, is positioned and molded in one of the sides, such as 28 adjacent the edge 30 and in the rib 40. The second side, such as 26, includes an opening 62 which will be in registry with and aligned with the nut when the sides 26 and 28 are intermeshed so that a bolt 64 may be screwed into the nut 60 from the outside and secure the sides 26 and 28 together. Preferably, each of the plurality of locking joints, such as 18, and 22, includes similar fastening means.

The present locking joint will, therefore, allow adjacent sides, such as 26 and 28, to be aligned and secured together by a single workman inserting the fastening bolts 64 for assembling the adjoining sides of the prefabricated enclosure 10. In addition, as best seen in FIG. 3, the ribs 40 and 50 provide interior recesses into which a shelf 70 may be held and supported in the interior of the enclosure 10.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a prefabricated enclosure having a plurality of sides, the improvement of locking means for securing the edges of adjacent sides together comprising,

said sides positioned at ninety degrees to each other,

each side including a flange along each side edge, said flanges being generally perpendicular to its connected side thereby coacting with the edge of the adjacent side,

each side and flange including at least one integral U-shaped rib positioned perpendicular to each edge of each side, the feet of the U being connected in the plane of the side and flange and the closed end of the U extending outwardly,

the ribs of adjacent sides being sized to coact with one fitting snugly inside the other, and

fastening means for holding adjacent sides together whereby the coacting sides, flanges, and ribs rigidly secure adjacent sides together.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sides are plastic, the inner side at the edge includes a portion of the fastening means, and the outer side at the edge includes an opening in registry with the portion.

3. In a prefabricated enclosure having a plurality of sides, the improvement of locking means for securing the edges of adjacent sides together comprising,

said sides being of fiberglass and positioned at ninety degrees to the adjoining sides, each side including a flange extending along each side edge, said flanges being generally perpendicular to its connected side thereby coacting with the edge of adjoining sides,

each side and flange including three integral U- shaped ribs positioned perpendicular to each edge of each side, said ribs generally positioned respectively adjacent the top, middle and bottom of the side edges, the feet of the U being connected in the plane of the side and flange and the closed end of the U extending outwardly,

The corresponding ribs of adjacent sides being sized to coact with the ribs of one side, one fitting snugly inside the ribs of an adjoining side holding means positioned adjacent the edge and in each of the ribs of each side which is positioned inside of an adjoining side, and

the edge of each side which is positioned outside of an adjoining side including an opening in the closed end of the U in registry with the holding means for inserting a fastening means. 

1. In a prefabricated enclosure having a plurality of sides, the improvement of locking means for securing the edges of adjacent sides together comprising, said sides positioned at ninety degrees to each other, each side including a flange along each side edge, said flanges being generally perpendicular to its connected side thereby coacting with the edge of the adjacent side, each side and flange including at least one integral U-shaped rib positioned perpendicular to each edge of each side, the feet of the U being connected in the plane of the side and flange and the closed end of the U extending outwardly, the ribs of adjacent sides being sized to coact with one fitting snugly inside the other, and fastening means for holding adjacent sides together whereby the coacting sides, flanges, and ribs rigidly secure adjacent sides together.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sides are plastic, the inner side at the edge includes a portion of the fastening means, and the outer side at the edge includes an opening in registry with the portion.
 3. In a prefabricated enclosure having a plurality of sides, the improvement of locking means for securing the edges of adjacent sides together comprising, said sides being of fiberglass and positioned at ninety degrees to the adjoining sides, each side including a flange extending along each side edge, said flanges being generally perpendicular to its connected side thereby coacting with the edge of adjoining sides, each side and flange including three integral U-shaped ribs positioned perpendicular to each edge of each side, said ribs generally positioned respectively adjacent the top, middle and bottom of the side edges, the feet of the U being connected in the plane of the side and flange and the closed end of the U extending outwardly, The corresponding ribs of adjacent sides being sized to coact with the ribs of one side, one fitting snugly inside the ribs of an adjoining side holding means positioned adjacent the edge and in each of the ribs of each side which is positioned inside of an adjoining side, and the edge of each side which is positioned outside of an adjoining side including an opening in the closed end of the U in registry with the holding means for inserting a fastening means. 